Carpet-stretcher.



No. 660,707. Patented Oct. 30, I900.,

L. M. LDWNES.

(Application fi e g 5, 9a. Renewed Sept. 4,1900.

(No lIudeI.)

I 01161165565 j/ nve Zor,

Jfiorney- UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

LEWIS M. LOWNES, OF NORRISTOW-N, PENNSYLVANIA.

CARPET-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 660,707, dated October 30, 1900.

Application filed August 15, 1898. Renewed September 4, 1900. Serial No.28,957. (No model.)

To [LZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, LEWIs M. LOWNES, a citizen of the United States, residing at Norristown, in the county of Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Carpet- Stretchers; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawing, and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which forms a part of this specification.

The invention relates to a carpet-stretcher; and it comprises a peculiarly constructed clamp for engaging the edge of the carpet and an adjustable strap, billet, or chain by means of which and a pivoted rod orlever with an adjustable ring thereon the clamp is operated, as will be fully hereinafter described.

The object of the invention is to provide a very cheap, neat, and effective device for stretching carpets,&c.,which shall be capable of both lateral and vertical adjustment, and which is adapted for use in almost any situation where an implement of this character is required.

Referring to the drawing, on which like characters indicate corresponding parts, the view is perspective, showing the clamp attached to a section of carpet and showing the manner of using the same with a part of the base broken away.

Ais one main member of the stretcher,and B is the other. The member A forms the base or lower plate. It is formed with a toothed or serrated jaw C at a right angle to its longitudinal plane and is provided with two sets of lugs a a, and Z) Z). The lugs project upwardly from the base and are arranged nearly adjacent to the jaw O in front. The lugs b b are arranged at the rear of the member or base A. Both sets of lugs are bifurcated for a purpose that will be hereinafter explained. Just in rear of the front lugs a a is an aperture or slot 0 through the base A, and transversely across this slot, at the rear, is a round rod or antifriction-roll d. The othermain member of the stretcher B comprises a curvedarm with a clamping-jaw D at a right angle to its longitudinal plane, which is also toothed or therewith.

serrated and corresponds with the jaw O on the member A and when in use cooperates In the rear of the jaw D the arm or member B is formed with a depending lug B. This lug fits between the lugs (1 Ct in front and is pivoted thereto by the pivot-pin 1). Between the rear lugs 12 b on the base A is a third member E. The memberE is curved on the top, as shown, and is provided with a depending lug E, which is pivoted between the lugs?) b by means of the pivot-pin e. The arm or member E, which is substantially triangular in form, is provided at its front end with a loop e. A billet, strap, or chain F is attached at the front end of the member E to the loop 9 and is passed through the slot or opening 0 in front of the roll (1 and along a slot or recess in the undermost side of the base A, and the strap F extends beyond the rear of the base A and is providednear its end with a buckle G.

The clamp is used with a rod or lever H, which is made of the proper length with a handle at the top and a sharpened, pointed,

or attenuated lowerend. It is provided with a ring and loop J, and the billet or strap F is attached to the loop on the ring and may be adjusted vertically on the rod or lever H to any desired point. The strap or billet F is provided with a series of holes, which with the buckle G, enables the strap to be adjusted to any desired length.

It will be seen that by the construction described and shown both lateral and vertical adjustment. is provided for and all springs are dispensed with, which isa great desideratum, since in a device of this character the power of a spring or springs is soon destroyed by constant use.

The manner of using the stretcher will be readily apparent from the foregoing description. The strap is adjusted to the length desired. The ring J is adjusted on the rod to the proper position dependent on the location where the stretcher is to be used. The edge of the carpet is inserted between the jaws,and any pull on the arm or lever II closes the jaws tightly by bringing the rear end of the arm E against the under side of the rear end of the member or arm B. The point of the lever is engaged with the floor,and a pull in line with the members A and B very thoroughly and effectively stretches the carpet and holds it in position until it can be permanently secured'by the operator.

Minor changes in the details of the construction may be made within the scope of my invention without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof.

What I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A carpet-stretcher, comprising a pair of clamping-jaws, the lower one having two sets of lugs,and an aperture or slot therethrough;

the top curved 'member having a'depending 111g, pivoted between the front set of lugs; a third member with an upwardly-curved arm pivoted between the rear set of lugs and formed with a loop at its front end; and an adjustable strap, billet or chain, secured to the loop and passed through the slot and i111- derneath the base or lower member to the rear thereof, substantially as described.

2. A carpet-stretcher, comprisinga pair of clamping-jaws the lower one having-two sets oflugsand'an aperture'or slot therethrough; the'top curved member having adepending lug pivoted between the front set of lugs; a third member with an upwardly-curved arm pivoted between the rear set of lugs and -=formed with a loop at its'front end, and an adjustable strap, billet or chain secured to the loop and passed through the slot and underneath the base or lower member to the rear thereof in combination with a rod or lever, with a handle at the top, a sharpened or attenuated point and a vertically-adjustable ring and loop thereon, substantially as described.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

LEWIS M. LOWNES.

Witnesses:

GEORGE W. MOWDAY, WILLIAM MOMULLEN. 

